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Student fights for autism awareness with support from The Chris Lytle Foundation

By Lesley Neff, M.A. | May 6, 2019

What is worse than being the victim of bullying? Watching your child be bullied!

David Brinegar, a student in Marian’s adult and online programs, knows exactly how this feels, so when he became familiar with The Chris Lytle Foundation in his BUS 240 Principles of Marketing course, he felt immediately connected to their mission to “Rise Up Against Bullying”. Chris Lytle is a retired UFC fighter who lives in Indianapolis with his family and works as a fireman.

David and his peers worked in groups as marketing professionals and advised the videographer and staff on the production of a marketing video for The Chris Lytle Foundation. The students interviewed Lytle and also encouraged him to speak freely about the foundation.

Lytle’s words hit close to David’s heart, because his oldest son is autistic, just like Chris Lytle’s youngest son. A big part of Lytle’s Foundation’s mission is to bring awareness to autism and anti-bullying, but it does not stop there. The foundation also stands strong against domestic violence and sexual assault.

In meeting Lytle, David said that he presents like an “ordinary person, like us, who has a job as a fireman, that most of us look up to and has a passion to help people.” David accompanied the team to Lytle’s east side firehouse for filming and described Lytle and the firehouse experience to be “great—Chris was very accommodating, had good ideas and didn’t rush us at all. Chris also has a gentle side and a passion to help people.”

David enjoyed the real world experience and providing a useful marketing asset to the organization. He would love to be in another class that works with a local partner, and he just might have his chance this summer in a promotions class.

Future BUS 240 Principles of Marketing classes will continue to promote The Chris Lytle Foundation, but with a student centered twist. As for David, he is busy organizing an Autism Speaks Walk in Indianapolis scheduled for September 28, 2019, and has invited The Chris Lytle Foundation to participate. The walk is a global initiative and the world’s largest fundraiser for autism. The funds raised will go to innovative research, support, and services. Visit their website for more information on the walk and to join a team or donate.

David is working toward a bachelor’s in business administration and is specifically interested in a career in project management. It is his dream to design a non-profit facility geared towards kids with emotional and physical disabilities—something similar to a YMCA, “where kids can come and have fun and not feel judged.”